
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20529-20530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08017]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0181]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing River, Chesapeake, 
VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulations; 
modification.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has modified a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the S165 (North Landing Road) Bridge 
across the North Landing River, mile 20.2, at Chesapeake, VA. This 
modified deviation is necessary to perform emergency bridge repairs and 
provide for safe navigation. This modified

[[Page 20530]]

deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position.

DATES: This modified deviation is effective without actual notice from 
April 8, 2016 through 6 p.m. on June 30, 2016. For the purposes of 
enforcement, actual notice will be used from April 4, 2016, until April 
8, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0181] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH''. Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this modified 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6222, email Hal.R.Pitts@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 11, 2016, the Coast Guard published 
a temporary deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North 
Landing River, Chesapeake, VA'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 12824). 
Under that temporary deviation, the north span of the bridge opened-to-
navigation on the hour and half hour, upon request, from 6 a.m. to 7 
p.m., and on demand from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Additionally under that 
deviation, the north and south spans of the bridge would open to 
navigation concurrently, with the south span only opening partially due 
to damage, upon request, for scheduled openings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 
p.m., Monday through Friday.
    The United States Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District Office, 
who owns and operates the S165 (North Landing Road) Bridge, has 
requested a modified temporary deviation from the currently published 
deviation to perform additional repairs to the south swing span of the 
bridge due to damage sustained as a result of a vessel allision with 
the bridge.
    Under this modified temporary deviation, the north span of the 
bridge will open-to-navigation on the hour and half hour, upon request, 
from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on demand from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The north 
and south spans of the bridge will open to navigation concurrently, 
with the south span only opening partially due to damage, upon request, 
for: (1) Scheduled openings at 9:30 a.m. for vessels transiting 
southeast, (2) 10:30 a.m. for vessels transiting northwest, and (3) at 
noon and 2 p.m. for two-way vessel traffic through the bridge, Monday 
through Friday. The horizontal clearance of the bridge with the south 
span closed-to-navigation is 38 feet and the horizontal clearance of 
the bridge with the south span partially open-to-navigation is 70 feet. 
The modified temporary deviation is necessary to relieve vessel 
congestion and provide for safe navigation on the waterway. The bridge 
is a double swing draw bridge and has a vertical clearance in the 
closed position of 6 feet above mean high water.
    The North Landing River is used by a variety of vessels including 
small U.S. government and public vessels, small commercial vessels, tug 
and barge, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully 
considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the waterway in 
publishing this temporary deviation.
    During the closure times there will be limited opportunity for 
vessels which are able to safely pass through the bridge in the closed 
position to do so. Vessels able to safely pass through the bridge in 
the closed position may do so, after receiving confirmation from the 
bridge tender that it is safe to transit through the bridge. The north 
span of the bridge will be able to open for emergencies. The Coast 
Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for 
the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange their transit to 
minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: April 4, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-08017 Filed 4-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


